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John Boehner: 'This is the people's House'

Outgoing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi hands the gavel to new Speaker John Boehner. |
John Shinkle
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Still, partisanship was hard to miss. The new Republican majority did not take long to exploit its new power. In an e-mail that was sent a few minutes after the conclusion of the House ceremony, the National Republican Congressional Committee sent out a fundraising appeal that was signed, “Speaker Boehner.”

And House Democrats harshly criticized the Republican rules package prior to its pro forma approval on a virtually party-line vote. “What I’d like to see is an honest attempt to create a set of rules that provide for openness, transparency and good government. This set of rules is not that document,” said Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.), the outgoing chairman of the House Rules Committee,

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Even as he was on the verge of reaching the apex of his political career, a relaxed Boehner strolled the floor prior to the vote for speaker, greeting and glad-handling members from both sides of the aisles. A crowd of Democrats like Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), a close Pelosi ally, sought to get their picture taken with the incoming speaker. Shortly thereafter, the long, verbal roll call began for the official vote for speaker.

The personal scenes included former former Vice President Dan Quayle roaming the House floor as his son Ben took office as a freshman from Arizona. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell gave a thumbs-up as Boehner walked past him. And former House Minority Leader Bob Michel (R-Ill.) commiserated with Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.), the censured former House Ways and Means Committee chairman.

Jubilant, pro-Republican crowds had swarmed the House side of the Capitol in the hours leading up to Wednesday’s formal handover of power. A line of visitors heading into the Cannon House Office Building were gleefully chanting, “Hey, hey, goodbye!” to Democrats.

For Boehner, the day began early on a chilly January morning. TV crews staked out Boehner’s basement apartment on Capitol Hill, hoping to get some footage of the ascendant Ohio Republican.

Boehner and his publicity-averse wife Debbie attended a bipartisan prayer service at St. Peter’s Church on Capitol Hill early Wednesday morning. When he reached the top of the stairs at the small church, Boehner turned around and waved to the half-dozen TV crews who were shouting good morning to “Mr. Speaker.” Father John Putka from the Buckeye State gave the sermon.

Just before 9 a.m., Pelosi pulled up in her own two-car caravan. Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (Md.) walked into the church, without a coat in frigid weather three minutes before the service was slated to begin.

Boehner’s family was in attendance in full force during Wednesday’s House ceremony, with10 brothers and sisters on hand to witness the sibling they grew up with become highest-ranking Republican in the country and third in line for the presidency. Boehner’s two daughters, Lindsay and Tricia, were also be in attendance.

Following the official oath-taking, Boehner moved to the Rayburn Room a few feet off the House floor. Members of both parties lined up to shake his hand and participate in their mock swearing-in for home-town consumption.

Readers' Comments (635)

Congrats..Mr. Speaker. He are looking forward to a little humility and focus on the will of the American people. Hope you are nothing like that self-serving Nancy Pelosi who feels she is entitled to unlimited amounts of taxpayer dollars. She lived in a state of denial with overwhelming arrogance in pushing her socialist agenda. Good riddens Nancy. You have been a total disgrace to the peoples House. More botox will not help your image.

Boehner is staying true to himself and his constituents. He doesn't look for fanfare and he accepts his responsibilities with grace and humility. A truly wonderful man and the perfect one to lead druing these turbulent and divisive times.

Let's hope he can bring the Dems in the house and Senate to the table where real compromise can be achieved. I know that sounds difficult when he is being opposed by Rep Pelosi, but many members of the Dem caucus may abandon her flag and join with like-minded Republicans to find common ground.

Stop the EPA and FCC rules that kill jobs and give the government control of the internet. Then smaller government and lower taxes. Follow those instructions, and Boehner will be true to the will of those who gave him the power to lead.

I am from Ohio, I want to know what food is considered an "Ohio delicacy" - srsly?!!!

John Ironies of Ironies you say you will end gridlock - Well I guess you can easily since it was GOP leadership who decided on Obstruction & pledged publicly to do nothing for 2 years. America needs you to do the right thing, for once! The spotlight is on you & your actions big time.

Who are you really working for? Will you hand out checks from Tobacco to members of Congress AGAIN right on the Congressional Floor?

hogwash!! Nothing but the same old rhetoric from one of the same guys who has been responsible for the gridlock in Washington. Not a hope in hell that it will change, especially when the GOP is driven by unreasonable mandates coming from the tea party.

Wow, fair and open debate! That will incense the demokrats for sure! The dems under Pelosi shunned and derailed debate at every opportunity. Progressives know that the truth will sabotage their agenda each and every time they attempt to debate facts. No closed door deals filled with bribes to obtain House member's votes. No Christmas Eve votes to ram thru enomously unpopular schemes to separate Americans from their hard-earned money. It's a great day for America; welcome Speaker Boehner, man of the people!

Nancy Pelosi was the best Speaker of the House the American people could ask for. She cared about the voiceless. She was demonized by the Republicans for fighting for the average people. The Republican propaganda machine has done such a good job at persuading gullible people that Republicans care about the average people. Republicans only care about other rich Republicans. They don't even care about their poor and average supporters. I can hardly wait for the Republicans to reveal their true goals (i.e. destroy the middle class). Perhaps then gullible people will stop buying into their lies and destructive behaviors.

You are living in la la land. Mr. Boehner is just as rich as Mrs. Pelosi and still Mr. Boehner, McConnell, Cantor, McCain and all those other losers don't care about you people. They have already asked big business what perks they want for supporting them. You all should be pleased that someone as rich and famous as Nancy went to war for people who are less fortunate. Again, the Republican propaganda machine has convinced the small minds against Mrs. Pelosi.